The voice behind Doc Hudson, legendary actor Paul Newman passed away eighteen years ago today at 83 years old 🚗🕊️ For millions of younger fans, Paul Newman wasn’t only a Hollywood legend. He was the voice that taught Lightning McQueen what being a true champion actually meant. As Doc Hudson in Cars, Newman gave the retired Fabulous Hudson Hornet a perfect mix of toughness, regret and quiet wisdom. Doc wasn’t simply McQueen’s mentor. He was the emotional backbone of Radiator Springs, showing that trophies fade, but character lasts. Pixar even brought Newman’s voice back in Cars 3 using recordings captured during the original film, keeping Doc’s presence alive years after Newman’s passing. Pixar Animation Studios And outside Radiator Springs, Newman built one of Hollywood’s greatest careers, eventually winning the Best Actor Oscar for The Color of Money. Oscars Some of his most iconic roles: - Doc Hudson — Cars - Luke Jackson — Cool Hand Luke - Fast Eddie Felson — The Hustler / The Color of Money - Butch Cassidy — Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - Henry Gondorff — The Sting - Hud Bannon — Hud - Frank Galvin — The Verdict - John Rooney — Road to Perdition Paul Newman gave us dozens of unforgettable characters, but for an entire generation, one old blue race car made his voice immortal. Rest in peace, Doc. 💙